HARRIER CHAMPION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22499, 17 August 1936, Page 14

HARRIER CHAMPION

CROSS-COUNTRY TITLE SUCCESS OF J. W. SAVIDAN TEAMS* RACE TO AUCKLAND The Auckland provincial cross-coun-try championship held over the Ellerslie course of 6i miles attracted a good field of 120 runners on Saturday. Running with his usual ease, J. W. Savidan accounted for the individual title, while the Auckland Club, with a total of 34 points, annexed the teams' title. There was the usual rush for positions at the start, but inside the first quarter-mile the field had stretched out, with Savidan in front. In the early stages he was followed by 13riggs, Hazard, Harding, Neil, Henshall and Littler, all in a bunch. On leaving the racecourse and starting on the two miles' circuit of the old Lake St. John bed, Harding ran up to second place, while Birtwistlc moved up just ahead of Littler and Neil. Crompton and Hill also improved their positions in the rough going. On the racecourse for another circuit Savidan steadily increased his lead, while Birtwistle drew clear of the second bunch. BriKgs was dropping hack and Nicholson was seen making a forward move. There was little change in the order over the last two miles, in which Savidan further increased his lead to finish 80s ahead of Birtwistle, who was I.os ahead of Littler. , .. , The results were: —J. W. bavidan (Auckland), 35m 295, 1; J?. 11. Birtwistle (Auckland), 30m 535, 2; C. Littler (Papatoetoe), 37m Bb, 3; A. JI. Harding (Technical), 3<nt 10s, 4; J. Neil (Presbyterian), 37m 255, 5; R. Crompton (Lynndale), 37m 375, 6; R. Hazard (University), 37in 455, 7; h. 1. Henshall (Hamilton), 37m 40s, 8; J. Nicholson (Technical), 37in 535, 0; R. McKcnzie (J'apatoctoe), 3Hin !_Ms, 10. The teams' championship was won by the Auckland Club with (Savidan 1, Birtwistle 2, Hill 11, P. Savidan 'JO), 34 points. Technical 43 points, was second, and Lynndale, 58 points, third. The teams' handicap event was won by Hamilton with 2.1 points. Technical, 20 points, was second, and Auckland. 31 After" the race the following; team was selected to represent Auckland in the New Zealand cross-country championship to be run over the same course next Saturday week:— J W Savidan, B. H. Birtwistle, C. Littler. A. 11. Harding, J. Neil and H. Crompton. REPRESENTATIVE TEAM The team to represent Auckland at the New Zealand harrier championships to bo run at Ellerslie next Saturday week was selected after tho 10,000 metres race at Ellerslie on Saturday by Messrs, W. Morton, A. Moon and S. Gudsell. The team will bo:— J W Savidan, B. 11. Birtwhistlo, C. Littler, A. G. Harding, J. 1. B. Neil, and R. Crompton. Haszard, McKcnzio, A. G. liiil and \n . Jirigtfs will be emergencies. PRESBYTERIAN CLUB'S RUN A small nuin be i of enthusiasts tinned out for the Presbyterian Harrier Club's run on Saturday from St. Hcliers Presbyterian Church. Olanding and Davidson laid a firstclass trail across some fine country around Clendowie and at the back of St. Helicrs. The slow pack started at a fast pace, but was soon caught by Odlin, the Taft brothers und Young, all of whom showed brilliant form. In tho slow pack Hancock, Jones and Mansell showed to advantage. DOMINION CHAMPIONSHIP OTAGO TEAM SELECTED [I)Y TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] DUNEDIN, Sunday The following team will represent Otago in the New Zealand cross-country championRhip at Auckland on August 20: —A. R. Geddes, I. L. Curtis, J. H McLaren, J. ft Barnes, L. J- Logan, \V. A. Stewart. Emergencies: 0. Davie, 0. L. Austin.